Unicorn Overlord - PlayStation 5

Vanillaware makes great games. Unicorn Overlord has me wishing I was playing it while I'm at work, while I'm cooking dinner, while I'm playing with the dog, while I'm helping my kids, while I'm talking to my wife! The story, music and gameplay is just excellent. The classes combined with items and then group management has you looking to try different ways to take on battles. Can't all be explained in a little user review. This is a really good game.

I took a chance on this game, despite not having liked JRPGs for year. Vanillaware is one of the most unique devs in the business. The gameplay has hooked me to the point that this is my game of the year, so far. The art is dope as always from Vanilla. Music is epic. And the gameplay... hoo boy. It is fast, intuitive, engaging and deep. I am mimaxing the heck out of 50 units right now and having a blast! 10 outta 10 game.

Unicorn Overlord was a surprise hit for me! It adds a new twist on the tactical turn-based RPGs. When I heard that you don't actually control the moves of your characters in the battle, I was turned off from playing it initially. However, after some convincing from friends, I gave it a shot. This game exceeded all my expectations and then some. The strategy is different than typical SRPG/TRPG and equates closer to creating units that address all the possible configurations of opposing units and putting the best blend of available characters into those units. There are units that can fly, horseback units, slower but stronger tanky units, etc... Throughout the entire campaign you are unlocking different unit types that combat strengths of others and updating your teams, this may sound tedious, but I found it to be quite enjoyable. Equipment and level ups continue to power up the party members as you progress through the game so it's quite viable to stick with your favorite characters you meet throughout the game, or hire some if you need extras of the same type. This was my second favorite game I played from 2024, being edged out very closely by Metaphor: Refantazio. Absolutely play this game if you enjoy any of the tactical/strategy RPGs of the past, or any Vanillaware game for that matter! 9.5/10!

One of the best, you should definitely grab a physical copy while you can as this will get expensive.

This is an excellent Strategy game with beautiful character designs and graphics. A young prince escapes after a coup, leaving his Queen mother dead and his Kingdom usurped by a former ally. Now that new Empire is a threat to the world and a now grown Prince must confront it. Battles are shown in a beautifully designed horizontal view but are played out automatically. You maneuver your characters on a map and pair characters to create more powerful units. After you select your target, your characters move and the motions into battle play out like a real time strategy as you watch on the map until the characters meet and fight in a zoomed-in horizontal battle. Story and voice work are great and there will be some trial and error to make sure you select the right units. If you are looking for action, this might not be the game for you, but if you like setting up a strategy and watching it play out with beautifully designed characters, then this would be a great pick up.